CHAMBER ensemble, the Florestan Trio, performed an elaborate two-piece programme in their lunchtime concert.

Part of the Manchester Midday Concerts Society series of concerts, which normally take place every Wednesday, the violin, cello and piano trio played with stunning accuracy through fast semi-quaver passages with superb ensemble.

The Piano Trio in G Major - a piece with theme and variations including Beethoven's Kakadu variations - started off with a quiet opening before the trio showed their true flair for chamber music.

The variations, in both the minor and major keys, were varied and the violin and cello runs complemented each other as trio marched through to the end of the first piece to rapturous applause.

After a quick re-tune off stage, the Trio, who are artists-in-residence at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, launched into Mendelssohn's Trio in D Minor.

From the molto allegro agitato (agitated) to the tranquillo and on to the scherzo (joking), the music encaptured the spirit of each of the movements.

With more elaborate phrases and fast runs, the ensemble in the energetic finale was exceptionally good with crisp phrases and accurate endings.

Overall, an exciting performance in this 50-minute concert from a Trio who perform regularly at UK festivals such as the Proms and the Cheltenham Festival, and who have toured across the globe from Japan to Israel and Australia to Brussels.

Incidentally, their name comes from one of composer Schumann's imaginary 'alter egos'. Florestan was the name the composer used for himself in his diary when he was in an optimistic mood.